NOTE: THESE NOTES GO ALONG WITH A SPOKEN SERMON. THEY ARE NOT A FULL MANUSCRIPT. YOU WILL HAVE THE AUDIO AVAILABLE SOON ON TRC Sermons
Vision/Mission/Strategy/DNA
Last Week Pastor Josh preached on our vision as a church, today I’m going to cover the mission/strategy and DNA that drives our church. Why? Because we must regularly renew our understanding of who we are and what we are going to do about it…in the bible, it was a “covenant renewal” ceremony.
Covenant Renewal:
There were times in Israel’s history that God via his leaders called the people together for “covenant renewal”.
It was a reminder of who God is and who they were and what the demands of their commitment were. It was a reminder of the blessings and the curses if they obeyed or failed to obey.
Last week and this week are covenant renewal. That’s what vision sermons are. We’ve intentionally preached on vision and DNA two times per year. I preach on our vision / mission / strategy / tactics…almost constantly weaving it into everything.
Why?
Vision is leaky!
Churches are also susceptible to vision / mission drift as people with competing visions want to shift tactics to support their particular bent.
We are a covenant church. TRC Covenant:
- I commit, as a worshiper of Jesus, to live a life of worship that reflects the Glory of God.
- I commit to knowing God and his Word, and I commit to apply God’s Word by the leadership of the Holy Spirit.
- I commit to be corrected by church discipline if my actions depart from the Word and dishonor Jesus and his cause.
- I commit to serve the Kingdom of God through TRC with my attendance and gifts.
- I commit to give financially and materially to the Kingdom of God through TRC.
- I commit to unity in the church. I will not allow my views on non-essential doctrines, personal preferences, or personality conflicts destroy that unity. I commit to love and honor my family of faith above myself, and to love and honor God above all.
- I commit myself to the vision and strategy of TRC.
Why should you be in covenant membership with a local church?
There is no way to obey Hebrews 10:24-25 (stirring one another up to love and good deeds by gathering together), Hebrews 13:17 (obeying your leaders), Matthew 18:15-20 (practice of church discipline precisely because one is covenanted to others in Christ) and its practical application in 1 Corinthians 5 unless you are in covenant fellowship with a local church.
What fuels our vision?
K – Gospel of the Kingdom Mark 1:14-15
D – Gospel makes disciples who hear and obey Matthew 7:24-27
S – Disciples engage domains of society…not programs but domains
4 Key shifts:
- From needs to assess
- From programs to domain engagement
- From working for the city to working with the city
- From managing projects to leading members
C – From all domains Jesus builds his church and fills the nations with his glory Matthew 16:18
Worship
Covenant renewal is an occasion for corporate worship. As we worship in the system of working together to do Jesus vision for his church, we honor God, each other and have ample reason to glory in Christ for his good order and leadership of his church.
Because we are in good order, and because we strive to lead toward his vision with resolve, we should offer King Jesus praise today.
Theology in the Dirt 